Onoñda’geh Ongwaweñna
By Weñdiyoh Estrada-Goeman
On October 19, 2020, the Onondaga Nation farm was visited by some interesting guests. On behalf of National Geographic Magazine, renowned journalist Charles C Mann and an award-winning photographer Kilii Yuyan (Nanai/Hezhe) made the trip to Onondaga. The two journalists traveled to the Onondaga Nation farm after hearing about the farm crew’s notable efforts in reclaiming traditional farming methods and reviving ancestral seeds.
“We were very excited to share what we do here,” said Onondaga Nation farm supervisor Angela Ferguson (Onondaga Eel Clan). “It was very cool to host such distinguished guests.”
Although October had a lot of sunshine throughout October, Mann and Yuyan visited Onondaga when it was dark and rainy.
Mr. Yuygun was hoping to get some photos of the Cherokee Gemstone Corn, cultivated by the late Cherokee farmer, Charles Barnes. As the name suggests, when mature the corn’s kernels resemble bright, multi-colored jewels, which would make for some great images.
After Angela led them through the wet corn stalks, they were unable to find ears that were ready. Despite this letdown, there was plenty for Yuyan to photograph.
“Although we didn’t find ripe Gemstone Corn,” Angela said. “They were able to photograph our storage facilities where we keep other kinds of corn.”
The Nation’s storage facilities are impressive. The large barn is lined with beautiful braids of corn, mostly grown this season. The facility is also home to its own special “library”. The seed “library” holds over 4,000 ancestral varieties of corn, beans, and squash. Many were part of an extensive, well-known collection of Indigenous seeds passed down to Onondaga Nation by the family of Carl Barnes in 2017.
“They seemed to really enjoy looking at all the different types of corn, and it was interesting for us to watch Kilii (Yuyan) set up his shots,” said Angela.
Mann and Angela sat for a relaxed interview with lots of laughter where she shared the journey of the Nation farm. Angela told about how soon after its inception, they began an outreach to other Indigenous farmers committed to saving ancestral seeds and a return to ancestral diets.
“Through our involvement with Braiding the Sacred, we have been able to travel to other Native communities across Turtle Island,” Angela shared with Mr. Mann. “We have created great relationships with so many people while sharing our seeds and our stories with each other.”
As the rain poured outside, Angela and the Nation farm crew served their guests a feast of roasted corn soup, baked salmon, roasted turkey, corn mush, wild rice stuffing, buffalo stew, squash soup, and a bevy of homemade desserts. It was a great dinner with lots of laughter and stories. Some might even make National Geographic Magazine.
Over the next year, Mann and Mr. will continue traveling to different Indigenous communities and hope to have their story published in National Geographic in the fall of 2021.
About the guests:
Charles Mann has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and the Smithsonian Magazine. Mr. Mann is also the author of a critically acclaimed book “1491” which explores the lives of Indigenous Peoples before colonization.
Kilii Yuyan is an award-winning photographer for National Geographic. Yuyan is a 2020 NiaTero Storytelling fellow, Pulitzer Center grantee, and named one of Photo District News’ 30 Emerging Photographers.
